self-organization and complexity

[Roberto Verzola <rverzola@phil.gn.apc.org>]

 >>I ask one question: have you at least tried to become more familiar
 >>with the recent developments in the studies of self-organizing systems
 >>and complexity I am referring to?
 >
 >Jay Hanson:
 >Unless you can give me a specific reference, I am not familiar with
 >your material.  But I can't see how this principle of serendipity has
 >any basis in the real world -- history argues against it.

I would strongly suggest then that you do a quick cursory reading of
recent developments in this area, as it may change some of your
current views. I believe an Internet search for keywords "a-life",
"self-organization", and "complex systems" will turn up many hits. I
also found the book by Steven Levy _Artificial Life: The Quest for a
New Creation_ a useful starting point. It will point you to more
primary sources.

 >However, I agree wholeheartedly with your goal of diversity -- for the
 >reasons you gave -- and will address the political barriers in a
 >separate post.

It would be interesting to pinpoint exactly where we agree and
disagree. It is interesting that we'd agree on many things but diverge
so widely in the approach to a solution. But I suspect, if we went
into the details, that we're making a lot of different assumptions --
as on the issue of literacy as a requirement for survival. I also
suspect that the new sciences of self-organization and complexity
point a way out, if you take the trouble of getting acquainted with
them.


Roberto Verzola